Buying a Stag

[Stevestannard]

Hi I'm Thinking about buying my first stag. I've looked at a 1971 Mk1 auto in dark green. bodywork looks ok with very little rust showing. All the sills wings and floors look very good the only rust I can see is on the front of the car. Engine runs and sounds good no strange noises. The car has not got an mot because it has been parked up for 18 months so it will be hard to take it for a test drive. Its done about 75000 miles. And has lots of paper work going back to 1975. The owner wants about £4500. Is this about right for a car of this year that needs a good bit of tidying. Can anybody advise me on this as i don't want to buy the wrong car.Thanks Steve

[staginhiding]

Hi Steve,
I have owned various Stags for over 30 years and in my opinion there are 2 sensible ways to buy one.All this is dependent on budget of course.

Either buy one that needs all the work doing or buy one that has been done.
The reason I say that is because the in between ones end up costing you more than the done one.
Once you start on a what looks initially a reasonable car it goes on and on..

Try to find one where someone has already put the work in and maybe lost interest.This way you will have a good start and maybe finish it off yourself..

Alternatively you pay £8k plus for one already finished and in excellent condition.

Hope that helps and that is only my opinion.I'm sure others will dive in with theirs..

Sam

[72BLUE]

I would insist on a good look (and poke) around the under side of the car before going any further..........

[4x4]

I'd be getting the vendor to put it through an MOT. Pass or fail - it will give you a slightly better idea of what you're dealing with.
Also - if it's local - you could accompany it to the MOT - the only time it can legally be on the road - going to a pre-booked MOT. With a willing garage, you can see underneath it properly, and talk to the tester............
Finally - the autos are known for having short legs on the motorway. The manual with overdrive is the better grand tourer. You can get a modern 4speed auto conversion - for about £2k. Alternative is a diff with a taller ratio, or some have fitted bigger wheels.

Good luck - and I'm sure others will chip in with their opinions too.
I would reinforce the old advice of get the best you can.
The newest shiny paint job can be used to cover up poor bodywork or bad prep work. A paint job several years old and still looking good can be better than last week's paint.
I'd prefer mechanical work needing to be done than bodywork - mechanical has reasonably predictable financial implications - bodywork doesn't............

[73stagman]

ask the seller to take the car for MOT (he can drive the car to a pre booked MOT and back home again if it fails).... see what they say! If they do (Good seller points!) and if it passes or if it fails have a look (yourself dont take their word for it) at the advisory or fail sheet. Then make your mind up or reduce offer accordingly.

[Arbman Al]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum!.
There are plenty of knowledgable Staggers in your area. The monthly meet is at the Bolney Stage not too far from you.
I'm sure one of the more local guys would be happy to have a look with you maybe?

Al.

[Stevestannard]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll talk to the owner later about having it MOTd. Thanks Sam about the buying advice. I saw a red one today in Guildford. It was a very nice looking car but was £10,995. Looked in very good condition until you got close and you could see the paint work was covered in small blisters.and signs of filler in places. I think I would prefer to buy one that needs work doing. As I think I would enjoy the work and satisfaction of doing it properly.

[StagnJag]

Hi Steve,

If you can get hold of the reg No and the doc ref No from the V5c you can look up the cars MOT History. It will list all advisories and reasons for failiure as well as passes! Data goes back to 2005 I think.

http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp

The best advise though is al's above. There is a good bunch of Stag Guys in Sussex. Get yourself over to the Bolney Stage and indroduce yourself. I'm sure someone will be happy to go with you to look the car over.

Rgds

Dave

[Stevestannard]

Thanks Dave. when is the next Bolney Stage meet ?

[Stevestannard]

Hi thanks for all the comments. i'll check out the Bonley stage on the next meet. And I'll see if The owner can get the car MOTd Thanks

[Bob Heritage]

Hi Steve, Storrington is in my area as Co-ordinator, is the car local? might be able to have a look, The next West Sussex clubnight is on May 7 at the Bolney Stage in Bolney from 8.00pm ,why not pop along for a chat. Either way I agree that you should get the owner to MOT it as it is worth considerably less without one. Finally join the club and then you can search many results on trhis forum and join in with our events.

Good luck
Bob

[Stevestannard]

Hi everybody thanks for all your advice. I will see If the owner will get it MOTd for me. I have looked at another Stag near Guildford a very nice red one. Its was up for £10995. Looked ok until you got close but the paint work was covered in small blisters and marks. I'll check out the Bonley meet in may. Thanks Steve

[billywhizz]

Hi Steve. I'm not a million miles away from you (Steyning), happy for you to compare and contrast with what you have found. Nigel

[Stevestannard]

Thanks Nigel. I'm of to have a look at one on Tuesday. In Hurstpierpoint It will be the second time i've seen it. And hopefully I can have a really good look at it.